A Dragonborn by any other name

A conference of gods

A.N. Okay, so I'm doing something a bit different with this chapter. Neither Lucia nor Gwen are currently cooperating, and Lena was asking if she could have a turn. So this is the product of a somewhat frustrated mind that allowed the muse free rein.

“More cheese?” The voice of the Madgod rang out, down the table to her guests. “I do admit I have grown fond of it. I used to abhor the stuff” Lena's eyes were twinkling as she surveyed the gathering she had formed. It was not often that Aedra and Daedric Princes met civilly like this, and she had offered to host. Unlike most of the others, she had been mortal once, and though she had inherited the realm, it had enabled her to make allowances for visitors who usually would not be able to enter. As far as she was aware, the only other realms which could accommodate them all were the void which was hardly accomodating at all, or the halls of Talos, if the rules worked for him as they did for her. She wasn't entirely sure. Beside, he was rather busy, with some of her mortal kin attempting to strip his power.

“No thankyou Sheo, I am quite full.” The god in question sat back, patting his stomach.

“I have told you Tiber, You can call me Lena. You are the patron Aedra of my eldest after all” Of course, formalities had to be observed for a time, but that did not mean titles had to be used.

“Of course Lena.” The warrior god was handsome, to be true, but he did not have the qualities of Martin or Lucien that had endeared them to her. He was an ally, and, on some days, even something near to a friend.

To interrupt her own musings, she stood, and clapped, clearing the table. “Shall we go to the sitting room?” Her voice was playful, yet firm. She was hosting this little get together after all. It was not a war council... that was not needed quite yet. No, this was a meeting for possible allies, and as they arranged themselves, she took stock. There was Talos, the God of War himself, seated to her left, and currently engaged in conversation with the Night Mother, of all people. She would not have picked that, but then, she was another who was once mortal, far closer to his time than she was. Then there was Sanguine, entertaining Nocturnal with his latest tales of debauchery, causing Kynareth to roll her eyes. Lucien and Martin were playing a game of cards, such a normal thing to do. At least they were getting along, unlike in the first two decades after they had found visitation possible. It was a small gathering, but it held importance. There were Aedra, Daedra, and representatives of the Void gathered peacefully in one place. Such a thing didn't happen often, and it was, in no small part, because of her two girls.

“Lucia has the Wabbajack, so I now find it easier to keep track of her. Martin, I understand you have been given care of overseeing the Amulet?” Her voice was tinged with the mad notes of her position, but her words were sane, and careful.

“I have, and I have some news. Guenevere fought her first dragon. She took Miriminulirs soul. The Amulet is able to light the Dragonfires when it becomes necessary.” Talos was nodding along.

“I fear that it will happen, but for now... the Greybeards have called the Dragonborn to train at High Hrothgar. She will surely go there soon.” Sanguine was soon to speak, when a dark shadow appeared on the floor, and Mephala slowly rose. Immediately, those in the room drew back, other than Sheogorath. Lena refused to show weakness in her own realm.

“What do you want, oh dear Mephala?” A high pitched giggle, it would unnerve most. Of course, a fellow Prince was not most.

“Do you not believe I simply came for a chat, dear, sweet Lena. Champion of Cyrodill, yet you have so many delicious secrets. As do your daughters. Dragonborn indeed...” Gritted teeth, and her eyes closed, trying not to show how affected she was.

“Sweet Mephala, your main source of power has been locked away for so long, we wouldn't wish for anything to happen to your realms would we? I am not sure I could control my associates if something was to happen to Guenevere, or Lucia because of something told to the wrong ears.” The previously beautiful face of the Mistress of secrets, et cetera, became twisted and dark. She knew that there was a stalemate.

“Of course not. Especially with such a junior Prince in charge. Such a pity, I had high hopes for you at one stage Lena of Alinor. You would have done well under my influence.” She turned, looking around the room. “The price of my silence is my freedom. My blade does not need to be fuelled, only freed.” The tone of the room was pensive, as her words were considered.

“As the Mistress of secrets, you can control their spread, stop them as well as cause them.” Lucien was speaking, thinking aloud. “If the blade was fuelled, would you stop the secret of the lineage of Guenevere from coming to light until was deemed necessary?” A laugh greeted his words.

“A master negotiator. You are another who would have done well in my realms Lachance. Very well. I accept these terms. I do not care who fuels it, as long as it is done within a cycle of Masser of Mundus.” She disappeared as quickly as she came, and the draining of tensions from the room was almost visible.

“Lucien...” The Night mother was speaking now. “You negotiated the deal, you will be responsible for seeing it through. The Purification of Falkreath will assist after all, your daughter will have to carry it out.” Tension lining his frame once more, the assassin nodded with reluctance. He would take responsibility, though he would not like it.

The meeting broke up soon after, with those involved only having some more words of planning, before departing to their own realms, leaving Lena alone, so terribly alone once more.